What a fun afternoon this was photographing these beautiful ballerinas for Renner Dance. Thanks so much to Little Apple Styles for helping with this shoot. I love, love, love photographing little ballerinas, (they are just soo cute!) and these girls absolutely loved Summer. It was so awesome to watch her teach and direct during their class. How awesome that she is a Radio City Rockette, too – she is just so talented!
Acccording to Summer…
I have been dancing since I was three years old. I grew up dancing at Dancensations Dance Center in Northern Virginia. I won numerous titles and high score awards at various competitions. I also trained with the Washington Ballet under Miss Mary Day, where I was a member of the Young Dancers and apprenticed with the company in many performances. I attended many summer intensives including the American Ballet Theatre, Kirov Academy of Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. I also have a BFA in Dance from Florida State University and I was the Captain of FSU’s Dance team when we were ranked 2nd in the nation. I danced as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for 6 years and it was an incredible experience! I also am an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher, and I completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.Are you currently dancing as well as teaching?I just finished my 6 year career as a Radio City Rockette. It was a fantastic experience and I am so grateful and blessed to be able to say that I got to be a professional dancer. I met some of the most amazing people through dancing with Radio City and I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful experience!
Every time one of my students comes off stage and they give me a BIG hug is my favorite moment. Seeing that expression on their faces when they know they nailed their routine is absolutely priceless and worth everything to me!
I teach Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, Musical Theater, Pointe and Tap.
I love seeing the children’s faces when they learn something new on their own. When they get a new skill and they master it, it is the most amazing feeling to watch their confidence grow. I also enjoy creating bonds with my dancers and watching them grow from year to year. The bond that I created with my teachers growing up is priceless to me and I want to have that with my students.
Are you excited about your new studio? Where will the new studio be located?
I am thrilled to be opening my new studio! It has always been a dream of mine to open a studio and have a competition company and I am thrilled that it is coming to fruition. I am excited to create a studio family and watch children grow with their dancing. My studio is in Chapel Hill NC. (11312 US Hwy N 15-501 Suite 102 Chapel Hill NC 27517.) We are very excited to be a part of the Chapel Hill community!

Rebecca Keller is a family photographer in Raleigh, N.C. featured in People Magazine, Denim + Grave Magazine and on several blogs such as Let the Kids Dress Themselves and Lemonade and Lenses. Contact the studio for more information about Raleigh Ballet Studio Photography.